From 1 January 2026 Russian supplies would be prohibited, with short-term contracts allowed only until June 2026 and existing long-term deals expiring on 1 January 2028.
The measure—structured to qualify as force majeure—aims to let companies void contracts without penalty and would gradually bar EU LNG terminals from servicing Russian clients while obliging importers to disclose contract details.
To avoid a veto from Moscow-friendly Hungary and Slovakia, Brussels plans to push the ban through with a legal basis that requires only a reinforced majority of EU states and European Parliament backing.
Russia now provides about 19 % of EU gas, down from 45 % before its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
(jh)
Source: Reuters, Euronews